Window insulating device



y 1960 JJA. LuTEs 2,935,769

WINDOW INSULATING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 10,1960 J. A. LUTES 2,935,759

WINDOW INSULATING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 my 2 1?,M wry/Pg;

United States Patent ice wnvnow INSULATING DEVICE John A. Lutes,Milford, N.H.

Application March 25, 1959, Serial No. 801,763

4 Claims. (Cl. 20-565) This invention relates to storm windows and moreparticularly to the use of a supplementary pane of transparent materialpositioned in spaced relationship to a window pane, whereby to provideadead air space therebetween which functions as an insulating medium forheat and sound.

There are already many different forms of removable storm windows. Thesedifierent forms generally fall into two basic types. One type is adaptedto be attached to the window frame. The other type. is adapted to beatached directly to a window sash. Both types are expensive anddiflicult to install. Moreover, they are not adaptable to all types ofwindows, as, for example, concave window units made up of a plurality ofsmall flat panes of glass.

The object of this invention is to provide storm window units which arefree of the limitations of conventional storm windows.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide supplementaryglazing sheets which are adapted to be readily attached to window sashesso as to form double window units with each pane of glass carried bysaid sashes.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a colonialtype window sashand a glazing sheet designed to form a double window unit with one ofthe glass panes of said sash;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are fragmentary views of different forms of the sameinvention.

Essentially, the present invention comprises the provision oftransparent resilient plastic sheets whose edges are set or bent back atan angle close to but less than 90 degrees to the plane of the sheet,the inturned edges functioning to frictionally grip the adjacent edgesof a window sash whereby to hold the sheet in parallel spaced relationwith a glass pane carried by the sash.

Turning now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of a conventionalcolonial-type window sash 2 which comprises a plurality of verticallyextending frame members 6 and horizontal frame members 8 which form alattice work defining a plurality of rectangular openings or windows inwhich are secured glass panes 10. The frame members 6 and 8 are groovedon their outside surfaces to provide shoulders 12 which function asstops for the glass panes. These panes are held against the stops byconventional glass fasteners (not shown) and sealed off by putty 14.

For each pane of glass 10, I provide a resilient transparentsupplementary pane 16 formed of sheets of suitable commerciallyavailable plastics such as polyvinyl 2,935,769 Patented May 10, 1960acetate and polymerized acrylic resin. Lucite and Plexiglas are suitablebrands of acrylic resin.

Supplementary panes 16 are formed from blanks consisting of arectangular planar body portion 18 provided with marginal tabs 20 whichare bent back by a molding device to form inturned side walls. Thelatter are set at an angle less than degrees to the plane of bodyportion 18. This angle should be at least 45 degrees.

The free edges 22 of the side walls define a rectangle slightly largerthan the rectangular opening defined by frame members 6 and 8. Thus, inorder to mount supplementary pane 16 in one of the window openings, itis necessary to flex the tabs or side walls 20 inward to an angle ofapproximately 90 degrees. Once pane 16 is seated in a window opening,the sides 20 bear against the surrounding frame members to keep it inplace. Sides 20 also function as spacers so as to keep body portion 18in spaced relation to the adjacent window pane 10, thereby forming arelatively dead air space 24.

It is not necessary that tabs be bent back by molding. Instead, they maybe bent back at the time of installation. In this case, the blanks arescored so as to make it easy for the user to bend back the tabs.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate three different forms of blanks in unfoldedform. Body portions 18a, 18b, and and marginal tabs 20a, 20b, and 200respectively are delineated by score lines 26. Preferably, the blanksare scored only on one surface. The embodiment of Fig. 5 corresponds tothe embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, having tabs of the same shape. Theembodiments of Figs. 3 and 4 are somewhat different. In Fig. 3, a hole28 is punched at each corner of the blank, each hole being common to thebody portion 18a and the adjacent ends of the two tabs 20a. Holes 28serve two purposes. First of all, they reduce the tendency of the bodyportion to crack at the corners. Secondly, they provide enlargedpassageways which permit the air space 24 to breathe and allow escapetherefrom of any moisture which may condense or be trapped therein.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 is the same as the embodiment of Fig. 3 exceptthat the corners of tabs 20b are chamfered as shown at 30. This helpsimprove breathing of the dead air space and also helps reduce damage tothe corners of the tabs.

The embodiments of Figs. 1 and 5 depend for breathing on the narrowspaces 32 (Fig. 1) left between the tabs even when the panes are mountedin a window. These spaces are adequate for breathing, particularly whenthe tabs are bent back at an angle close to 45 degrees. These spacesdecrease in size as the tabs are bent back at greater angles.

Of course, the blanks shown in Figs. 3 and 4 need not be left unfolded.Instead, the tabs may be bent back at the time of manufacture, in whichcase, it is not necessary to provide score lines 26.

It is to be noted that although the storm panes of this invention areremovably held in place solely by the pressure exerted on the framemembers by the inturned tabs, it is possible, if desired, to secure themin place permanently by means of an adhesive or other suitable means. Itis further contemplated that the storm panes of this invention may betinted to reduce glare from sunlight.

The advantages of the present invention are many. First of all, thesupplementary panes can be made from flat commercially available sheetsof transparent plastic in a single operation. Secondly, they are cheapto manufacture. Thirdly, they are easy to install and remove and requireno special tools. Fourthly, they are light and easy to handle. Fifthly,they can be made to fit any type of wooden sash and many types of metalsashes. Sixthly, they are unbreakable; and since they can be mounted onthe inside of a sash, they act as a protection against flying glass.Seventhly, they prevent loss of heat since plastics, and particularlypolyvinyl acetate and polya r ie, tes es h as n l tiie h linet ieer l tea e ood insulators 9t beet- E tt hly th will n t, e t up to Qbse i evisibili y- Db ie s ta di ieetiea and va ia n e he Pr sent n en ien re Pssi le in. the li h of th b e s t- Itte efe e is o be un er f eet t at te i e ans n imi d i s pp at n t the deta l a construction andarrangement of parts specifically described 01' illustrated, and thatwithin the scope of the nded laims it m b Pt e ie t O e is th as ee i el eesetibet e llust di- A. indo in means definin e xeeta r ere-n ne e Pae of ass ee teti n said o ni g an a r n u ar u leme tar Pa t rmed or aesil n trans r nt P l 9 ein ab y tme a et i1} a d open n d p eme t atPane a n ati rti d e es i t i i s en ment ith aid me ns h r to hold s isupplementary a e in. iti smelt n said su pl men y R5195? s eees itemsaid Patie t glass y sa d i i n eases:

2- A wiat aw etz s t si ig e sesti avin s im tiefining a let rease a assPe te in s i n n m a s se ling he qees, t' eisi. gla s Pa t ai t in suplement pa e erme o a e l e t pa en plastic positioned in said opening,said supplementary pane having edges normally iuturned by an angle ofslightly less than 90 degretg's, said supplementary pane held in saidopening by frictional engagement of said edges with said frame, saidsupplementary pane spaced from said pane of glass by said inturnededges.

3. In combination with a window sash comprising horizontal and verticalframe members defining a rectanguler in low penin an a pa e t. ssseeiired in said opening, the' improvement comprising a supplementarytransparent pane of rectangular shape formed of a resilient a sparen past sa d transpa en pan 7 ing marginal tabs at each side bent back at anacute angle to the plane thereoli, said supplementary plane located insaid opening and spaced from said pane of glass by said tabs, said tabsin frictional engagement with said frame members whereby to hold saidsupplementary pane in Pl c a he eombia t eii Qt el im 3 wherein s id.abs e id sme ures t e ewers id uppleine ite y ane whet by t9 Pett it airand moi u e to s p b tween sai gl s and, ppl mentary panes.-

Be er aees Cited i he. tile t thi paten r min-

